Subgiants in NGC 188 Reveal that Rotationally Induced Mixing Creates the Main Sequence Li-Dip

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that rotationally induced mixing explains the lithium depletion observed in the Li-Dip among stars, using subgiants in NGC 188 to reveal the mechanism's signature.

Contribution

It provides observational evidence that shear-induced rotational mixing is the primary cause of the Li-Dip, advancing understanding of stellar evolution and surface element depletion.

Findings

Rotational mixing uniquely explains the Li-Dip phenomenon.

Subgiants in NGC 188 show signatures of rotational mixing in their Li distribution.

The study supports rotational mixing as a key process in stellar Li depletion.

Abstract

The "Li-Dip" is an unexpected, striking, and highly non-standard anomaly of severe lithium depletion observed in mid-F dwarf stars, which has puzzled astronomers for nearly 40 years. Mechanisms proposed to explain the Li-Dip include effects related to rotation, magnetic fields, diffusion, gravity waves, and mass loss. The critical question became, which, if any, might be realistic? Here we show that mixing due to shear induced by stellar angular momentum loss is the unique mechanism driving the Li depletion. Each mechanism leaves a different signature in the subsurface Li distribution. The deepening surface convection zones of subgiants of NGC 188 evolving out of the Li-Dip dredge up the sub-surface material and thus reveal the signature of the responsible mechanism, rotation. Beryllium and boron data have also favored rotational mixing; however, these elements can be extremely difficult or impossible to observe. Our highly complementary approach provides fresh and very feasible perspectives on using Li to probe poorly understood physical mechanisms acting below the stellar surface, thereby improving fundamental understanding of stellar evolution. Rotational mixing may be the dominant mechanism that depletes Li in a wide range of Solar-type stars, including in the Sun. Possible connections to Big Bang Nucleosynthesis are discussed.